Eco-Tourism

Nature gifted Dadra & Nagar Haveli and capital city Silvassa with a picturesque and pristine landscape, and every effort has been made to preserve this. Garbage cans are provided at all tourist hubs in Silvassa and all over Dadra and Nagar Haveli, to prevent littering and most of the handicrafts and tourist-related shops use shopping bags made of re-cycled paper. The construction of most tourist accommodation in Silvassa as well as other places in Dadra and Nagar Haveli is sympathetic to the environment, using local materials for walls, Mangalore-style terracotta tiles for roofing and landscaping that goes with the location.

A Nature Education Center has been established in Vasona, which is roughly 12 km away from Silvassa. The center covers an area of 39 ha. along the banks of the Damanganga River, with a spectacular view of the Madhuban Dam.

The tourism department of Dadra & Nagar Haveli follows internationally-accepted principles of eco-tourism, which stand for development with minimal impact on the ecosystem, in such a way as to generate income for the local people.

53% of the union territory is under forest cover (40% designated as "reserved forest") and the main attractions developed have been parks and gardens. This means the terrain of Silvassa as well as the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli is liberally strewn with rolling meadows, terraced gardens, meandering rivers, large waterfronts, cascading waterfalls, gurgling streams, and a kaleidoscope of flora and fauna. Stay in rustic cottages or tents on the banks of the river, or opt for the comfortable suites of the Tourist Complexes in Silvassa and all over Dadra and Nagar Haveli.

The Vanganga Lake and Island Garden has quaint wooden bridges, thatched huts, paddle boats and jogging paths. It is a sought-after location for Bollywood, to film song sequences. Dudhni offers the large waterfront of the Damanganga River, with stunning views of the Madhuban Dam. At Kauncha, unwind at the Himai Van Health Resort.

Agri-Tourism

Farming, practiced the natural way, is the main occupation of the tribals in capital city Silvassa and throughout Dadra & Nagar Haveli. Visitors can have a truly memorable holiday by living like them, planting, plucking and harvesting activities that occur in paddy fields and orchards in Silvassa or even through the rest of Dadra and Nagar Haveli. Afterwards, take away a bag of the locally made raagi flour or a bottle of fresh forest honey from the shop ‘Jaivaka’, at Dudhni, which sells organic products.

Tribal Culture

Tribals comprise 62% of the population of Dadra & Nagar Haveli. Shy, simple people, they have a vibrant heritage that they are happy to share with you, in the form of cuisine, customs and culture - arts and crafts, dances and rituals – best seen in capital city Silvassa. Although they use dialects influenced by the languages of bordering areas, many of them also speak Gujarati, Marathi and Hindi.

Most hotels and resorts in Silvassa and throughout the Union Territory arrange, on request or on special occasions, a visit to a tribal village in Silvassa and around Dadra and Nagar Haveli, a meal with the locals or a performance of tribal dances – Tarpa and Gherraiya for Diwali, Bhavada on torch-lit summer nights, and Tur and Thali that during marriages. Guests are encouraged to join the dancers. Tarpa has become the theme for a Tarpa Festival held from December 26th to 31st.

The Tribal Museum in Silvassa gives a realistic feel of local culture through a collection of masks, musical instruments, traditional jewelry and hunting tools ... and you can even shop for souvenirs like Warli paintings, bamboo crafts and palm leaf mats handmade by the tribals of Silvassa and the rest of Dadra and Nagar Haveli.

Water Sports

The Madhuban Dam on the Damanganga River has created a number of water bodies and most of these offer water sports with a lovely view of the surrounding forests. Speed boats, kayaks, canoes, aquabikes, water scooters and passenger boats are available for hire at the Water Sports Complex at Dudhni and Kaucha. An added bonus is the post-sport open air meal cooked rustic style!

The Vanvihar Tourist Complex at Khanvel is a great option if you are looking for a water sports vacation. It’s about 20 km from Silvassa.

Wildlife

As a child, if a trip to the zoo was your favorite outing, then a trip to Dadra & Nagar Haveli, including capital city Silvassa, will make you feel like you are five again. 40% of the Union Territory, inclusive of Silvassa, is under forest cover, and this has led to a rich bio-diversity - ideal for a wide variety of birds and animals.

The lion safari at Vasona, deer parks at Khanvel and Satmaliya, and myriad jungle hide outs are straight out of a fairytale, making the place a favoured playground for every nature and wildlife enthusiast. There’s a lot for kids too, with plenty of children's parks and gardens and a mini-zoo at Silvassa.

As you trek through the forests of Silvassa or any forest throughout Dadra and Nagar Haveli, inhale the aroma of rare herbs, watch the butterflies flit from flower to flower and listen carefully for the flutter of a Blue Jay’s wings. Just remember, you're on their territory, so disturb the animals as little as possible.

You can get more tourist information about eco-tourism, agri-tourism, the tribal culture, water sports or the wildlife of Silvassa at the tourism department of Silvassa or Dadra and Nagar Haveli.

You can also get information about travel, hotels, places to visit, tourist complexes, holiday themes or tours in Silvassa and also through Dadra and Nagar Haveli.